How to Choose a Roofing Contractor in Orlando

January 2026 · Tips

Not all roofers are created equal. Here is what to look for and what red flags to avoid when hiring a roofing company in Central Florida.

Why Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor Matters

A roof replacement is one of the largest single investments most homeowners make in their property, typically second only to the home purchase itself. The contractor you choose will determine whether that investment holds up for 20 to 50 years or causes problems within the first few storm seasons. Unfortunately, the roofing industry in Florida has a well-documented history of storm-chasing contractors, fraudulent insurance scheme operators, and fly-by-night installers who do shoddy work and disappear before callbacks can be processed. Knowing how to identify a trustworthy, qualified contractor can save you thousands of dollars and years of frustration.

Verify Florida State Licensing

Florida law requires roofing contractors to hold either a Certified Roofing Contractor license or a Registered Roofing Contractor license issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You can verify any contractor's license status at the DBPR website. A certified contractor has passed a state examination and can work anywhere in Florida. A registered contractor holds a local competency license issued by their county jurisdiction. In either case, the license should be current and in good standing with no active disciplinary actions. Ask any contractor for their license number before allowing them to do any work.

Confirm Insurance Coverage

Roofing is one of the most injury-prone trades in the construction industry. Any contractor you hire must carry both general liability insurance and workers compensation insurance. General liability protects your property if the crew damages something during the project. Workers compensation protects you from liability if a worker is injured on your property. Ask for certificates of insurance and verify that the policy dates are current. Do not rely on verbal assurances. If a contractor cannot or will not provide a current certificate of insurance, do not hire them regardless of how low their price is.

Red Flags to Watch For

Several contractor behaviors should prompt you to walk away. Requesting a large cash deposit, typically more than 10 to 15 percent upfront, is a red flag. Pressure to sign immediately with a limited-time offer is a manipulation tactic. Vague or verbal-only estimates without written itemization make it impossible to hold a contractor accountable. Offering to waive your insurance deductible is illegal insurance fraud in Florida. Contractors who cannot provide local references from recently completed projects are operating without a track record in your market. And anyone who drives up unsolicited after a storm, often called a storm chaser, is statistically far more likely to perform substandard work.

What a Good Estimate Should Include

A written estimate from a qualified contractor should itemize every component of the project: material type and manufacturer, product line and warranty level, underlayment specification, decking evaluation and replacement allowance, disposal cost, permit fee, labor by task, and total cost. It should specify the payment schedule, project timeline, and cleanup responsibilities. It should identify the workmanship warranty coverage explicitly. Any estimate that is presented as a single lump sum without breakdown, or that is conditional on signing before the contractor leaves your driveway, should be viewed with skepticism.

Questions to Ask Before Signing

Before committing to any roofing contractor, ask these questions: How long has your company operated in this market? Can you provide three local references from similar projects in the past 12 months? What manufacturer warranties apply to this specific product? What does your workmanship warranty cover and for how long? Who will be on my job site daily and is the work done by your employees or subcontractors? How do you handle decking damage found after tear-off? What is your typical timeline for a project of this scope? Taking the time to ask and document these answers before signing will clarify expectations on both sides and help you identify the contractors you want to avoid.

Get a Free Estimate

Green Plains Roofing serves the greater Orlando area. Call (407) 986-6048 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation estimate.